Did you know that road accidents are the leading cause of death for people aged one to 54 in the U.S.?
That’s a harrowing statistic. But many more people are left with severe injuries after vehicle accidents. Car mishaps on the roadway are no laughing matter whether you’re a driver, passenger, or pedestrian.
You’ll want to contact a personal injury lawyer if you’re involved in a car accident. Doing so will help you avoid common mistakes that can hurt your cause.
Here’s a look at 10 mistakes in auto accident lawsuits to avoid at all costs.
1. Waiting Far Too Long to File a Lawsuit
One of the most common mistakes is waiting too long to pursue legal action after a car accident. Don’t dilly-dally. Failing to take prompt action could mean having to forego filing a lawsuit. And that’ll add insult to injury.
When you reach out to an auto accident lawyer, you’ll be kept up to date on the lawsuit filing deadline. Your lawyer will do the following:
- Explain the lawsuit filing process
- Let you know what documents are required
- Ensure your lawsuit is filed promptly
- Answer your questions
- Lay out your options
You might have to take time off work if you’re injured in a vehicle accident. You might have to get surgery, go for physiotherapy, and go to require doctor appointments. And there’s the possibility of dealing with long-term problems.
Do you want to risk paying for treatment out of pocket over the long term if your quality of life is jeopardized post-accident? That answer is “no.” When you file a lawsuit, you can get the compensation you need to go on with your life.
2. Selecting the Wrong Lawyer
If you believe that any lawyer will do, give your head a shake. The reality is that some are better than others — and you want one of the betters ones.
One of the first things to look for is specialization. Rather than hire a lawyer who is a jack of all trades, find one who exclusively represents clients who have suffered personal injuries due to car accidents.
You want a lawyer who helps people in your shoes day in and day out. Such a lawyer will understand applicable laws inside and out, have experience developing successful strategies, and know when a settlement makes sense.
The right lawyer can also give you an honest assessment of the probability of success and will work hard to increase your chances of success.
Finding a lawyer who specializes in helping car accident victims is paramount. Go online and look for online reviews to identify lawyers in the area. You can also ask family, friends, and colleagues for recommendations.
Some people think choosing the first name they find in a print or online directory is a good strategy. But that’s like rolling dice. Do you want to gamble with so much at stake?
3. Discussing Your Vehicle Accident Lawsuit on Social Media
Social media provides a way for people to share and engage. But there’s often the tendency for many to over-share.
If you’re involved in a car accident, don’t post sensitive details about your auto accident case on social media. It’s one of the worst things you can do, and it can come back to bite you if an insurer or lawyer finds incriminating info.
You don’t want what you post to be used to weaken your car accident case. If you have something to share, share it with is your lawyer.
4. Failing to Gather the Appropriate Documents
When it comes to filing a car accident lawsuit, you can do it yourself, or you can hire a lawyer. But just because you can technically do it yourself doesn’t mean you should. Hiring a lawyer who understands the process from A to Z is best.
One of the things you’ll realize early on is that tons of auto accident lawsuit documents are needed to prepare for a case. You won’t know all the needed documents if you’re doing things independently.
At the very least, that could result in your car accident lawsuit being unnecessarily delayed. But the consequences can be even worse if, due to failing to get the necessary documents together, you miss essential deadlines.
Your best bet after an auto accident injury is to retain the services of a reputable car accident lawyer. The lawyer will let you know what documents you need to provide, so you won’t run the risk of delays or worse.
Car accident lawsuits can take years to reach a conclusion. Don’t do anything that can ruin your chances of achieving the most favorable outcome.
5. Settling a Lawsuit Too Fast
As was mentioned previously, car accident lawsuits can drag on for a long time. They’re not for the faint of heart. Sometimes the insurer will table a settlement offer expecting you to accept it and withdraw your lawsuit.
The odds are that the initial offer, and even subsequent offers, will be too low. But if you feel the offer offers adequate compensation, consider it.
You’ll want to consult with your auto accident lawyer first to weigh the pros and cons. Don’t accept a settlement offer without carefully considering your options.
Your lawyer might choose to do one of the following things following an offer:
- Engage with the insurer and seek a higher settlement offer
- Advise you to reject the settlement offer and pursue the lawsuit
- Recommend that you accept the offer to avoid a court case that might yield a lower compensation amount
If the car accident lawsuit comes after a loved one has died in an auto accident, the negotiations with the insurer will be more critical. One reason is that the loss of a loved one will put more stress on you and your family.
For help with wrongful death situations, consider a law firm like Alpha Accident Lawyers.
While the lawyer will lay out your options, you’ll get to decide how to proceed. Ask questions if you’re unsure what to do — that’s what your lawyer’s for.
6. Neglecting to Stay in Contact With Your Lawyer
Your lawyer is there to represent and advise you. But it’s a two-way street. Stay in touch with the car accident lawyer in your corner. After all, you and your lawyer may be working together for an extended period.
One reason you need to stay in touch with your car accident lawyer is that there may be situations where you need to convey essential information. Your lawyer needs to know if developments are pertinent to your lawsuit.
Keeping in touch is also an excellent way to get status reports on how things are going. If things seem to be at a standstill, you can reach out to your lawyer.
7. Failing to Seek Out Proper Treatment
Another problem you’ll want to avoid is failing to get the treatment you require after a car accident. Don’t wait until after the lawsuit or settlement to get medical care and proper treatment. Seek the help you need right away.
You’ll also want to document what treatment you get, what expenses you incur, and what costs you could incur in the future. Your lawyer can consult with medical professionals to figure out how much you’ll need for ongoing care.
Documenting everything will ensure you’re reimbursed for what you’ve spent.
8. Failing to Gather Evidence at the Scene
After a car accident, you might be overwhelmed by the situation. But it’s essential to gather as much evidence at the scene of the accident as you can.
You likely have a smartphone. Take pictures of the damage to the cars involved. Get witness statements, and make note of the road conditions at the time of the incident. You can present this evidence to your car accident lawyer.
9. Opting Not to Follow Through With Treatments
Getting treatments immediately after being injured is essential. But you also need to follow through with whatever medical treatments you started.
If you can’t prove that you’ve kept up with treatments, the insurer can challenge the seriousness of whatever injuries you sustained. So, get the ongoing treatments you need, and obtain supporting documentation.
10. Neglecting to Keep Accurate Records
Accurate record-keeping is a must if you want to increase the odds of getting the outcome you desire. Specifically, you’ll want copies of receipts, bills, and payments made for medical treatment and other things.
Neither the court nor the insurer will take your word for anything. You need accurate records that substantiate everything you’re claiming.
Avoid These Mistakes in Auto Accident Lawsuits
While no one wants to get in a car accident, sometimes unfortunate things happen on the roads and highways. You’ll want to hire a good car accident lawyer if you need to file a lawsuit following an accident.
Finding the right lawyer will help you avoid common mistakes in auto accident lawsuits. You’ll have the assistance you require to get the compensation you deserve.
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